The Crystal River - Visitors

By Bee Ifezue

After a strange looking candlestick is brought to the land of Esrom by Navan, 

they are paid a visit from the savage warlike Zulaqs, known for their dark arts.

Could this be a coincidence or something more sinister?

 

As a familiar ancient web of enchantment quickly engulfs the land, 

Can Bru and

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scribblecity Publications
• Release date: Nov 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781913455149

Book preview

Chapter 1

A Hot Afternoon

It was another hot afternoon in the little village of Esrom, far too hot to function. At this time of the day the river Timri was crammed with people trying to cool down from the scorching heat. Children crowded under the little waterfall soaking up the cool water as it flowed over their heads.

Watch out below! shouted Bru, as he slid down the tree trunk-like roller coaster and hit the clear blue water with a loud splash.

Bru! called Simos, What is your sister doing? Bru looked across at the log where Akiya had been sitting.

His sister was now standing on the log, with her hands flapping energetically in the air while her thick golden curls blew playfully across her round brown face. She was smiling and talking to herself unaware of the small crowd of children whcih had now gathered around the log laughing at her. Simos shook his head.

That sister of yours is weird.

Bru let out a long exasperated sigh. He changed into dry clothes and marched towards the log. He wished his sister would stop embarrassing him in public, it was bad enough having to put up with her strange behaviour.

Akiya, what are you doing? Bru hissed in a low voice as he grabbed her arm and dragged her away. Bru had always looked out for his younger sister, who was regarded as a ‘strange child’. She was born with a deformity and would often make unusual grunting sounds causing her head to jerk backwards, and her eyes to blink uncontrollably. This made her feel uncomfortable around the other children and would rather play with imaginary friends instead.

The children lived with their widower father

Navan, a merchant, who often travelled to distant places to sell his goods. Because of Akiya’s impediment, Bru had to take care of her when their father was away. Every now and then he would find it quite frustrating, and would wish he had a normal life and could go on adventures like the other boys in the village. Instead he had to look after his sister.

The little girl squeezed his arm affectionately as if she knew what he had been thinking. Bru like Akiya? she stuttered, giving him an angelic smile. His face softened as he looked down at her small round face and smiled. Bru knew it was hard to stay angry with Akiya. Come on, let’s go home Akiya. Father is coming home today, he reminded her as he pulled away. Race you back to the house! he called and scrambled up the pebble-strewn path that led to the village. Akiya laughed and skipped after him; flapping her arms like a bird.

As they made their way along the sunflower field, Akiya picked the yellow flowers till her arms were full. They came to a little hut that stood by itself at the side of the road. Under a bamboo porch sat Leah the old village seer. Although Leah was partially blind, she had an uncanny way of sensing things, her supernatural perception never ceased to amaze the children. Leah loved to sit outside her house especially on hot afternoons like this.

Is that you, daughter of the Morning Star? Leah called out.

She was very fond of little Akiya and always had time to play with her.

Leah! Akiya replied cheerfully, running towards the hut.

She scurried onto the porch to embrace the old woman. Bru watched as Leah playfully pulled at Akiya’s cheeks. He wondered how old Leah really was. Although her figure was hunched, she was still quite a tall woman. The many deep wrinkles on her face revealed years of wisdom. She had lost all her hair over the years and all that was left was a bald crown. She seemed to be as old as the village itself, and knew when every tree was planted, and where every rock was carved. She knew the village like the back of her hand.

Bru recalled how during many moonlit nights

the children would gather around Leah and would listen in awe as she told the story of how the village of Esrom began.

As the story goes, Esrom and Madiya were two brothers born to the Lord of the Morning. They lived in the most beautiful land ever known to man. The rivers were as clear as crystal, teeming with fish of different shapes and colours which could be seen through the clear water as though they were in a glass fish tank. At the bottom of the sea bed sat rubies and emeralds as big as a human fist. Whenever the sun’s rays touched the stones, they would glimmer in unison like a rainbow sitting on the river bed. It was absolutely breathtaking!

The sky above was a beautiful shade of clear blue,

and the trees were home to a variety of vibrant birds that sang so melodiously to welcome the dawn. The delicate blossoms of colourful flowers dotted the land and their sweet fragrance filled the air. Unicorns ran free, and children rode on the back of the great white eagle.

Sadly, a terrible thing happened that changed the land forever. Madiya fell in love with a beautiful woman from the village of Hadis. Unknown to him, his bride-to-be was the daughter of the great Sorcerer. She bewitched Madiya into marrying her and their children destroyed the beautiful land with their evil, and sorcery spread across the land. The unicorns were killed and their horns were used for magic potions, and sadly the once beautiful blue skies were now dark with the fingerprints of evil.

Esrom saw that their lives were now in danger, so he arose early one morning and fled with his family, leaving behind the beautiful land that they once called home. While they were in flight, not knowing where they were going, they encountered Rowhak, Guardian of the three hills who appeared in the form of a white mist and promised to help Esrom. At night, the white mist would become a glowing fire lighting their paths through the dangerous forests. He led them over several mountains and many rivers, till they arrived at a green and fertile land where they finally settled and made their home. Esrom swore an oath to the Guardian that he and his family would forever honour him in exchange for protection and good fortune. Rowhak watched over Esrom and this pact was handed down from generation to generation.

Leah had told this story time and time again

and the children were never tired of hearing it.

Your sister is a special child, Bru, Leah said

softly. She is not like other children. Be patient with her. It doesn’t matter if the other children make fun of her, she smiled at him, That is why you must always look out for her.

There she goes again, Bru thought to himself.

How does she know these things? She wasn’t at the river, how could she have known what happened?

Leah chuckled to herself and then exclaimed, I believe your father has returned!

The children’s face lit up and Akiya clapped her hands in delight.

Hurry along, now, she urged them. The children bid the old lady goodbye and hurried through the cornfield and up the stony path that led to their house.

9

bru-akiya.jpg

Chapter 2

Navan’s Return

The white brick house stood visibly on a gentle slope overlooking the road. The door was open and large sacks littered the wooden front veranda. Inside, Navan smiled and kissed the copper candleholder; he placed it on the table and eyed it with pride like one who had found a valuable treasure. Sighing with satisfaction he removed the pendant on his neck, gently placing it on top of the candleholder.

Father! Bru shouted joyfully as he rushed

through the door hurling himself on the heavily built Navan. He gave a big hearty laugh as he hugged his son.

Though his trade took him to far places and many times he was away for weeks, he knew his children were safe in Esrom.

Where is your sister? he enquired.

She was right behind me, replied Bru, turning

to the door. Akiya stood outside peering through

the door.

Are you not going to say hello to your old father? Navan asked good-humouredly with his arms outstretched. The little girl smiled and ran into her father’s arms. Navan lifted her up and swung her in the air.

Father come home, Akiya smiled.

Yes my little pancake, I am home and it has been a long journey but I have some goodies for you, He chuckled as he lifted Akiya off the ground and carried her to his lamb’s wool chair. Sitting down he dragged his rucksack towards him. The two children gathered round the sack and eagerly watched as their father unfastened the hook. He dug into the sack and brought out a beautiful handmade silk doll stuffed with wool, with long dark locks wearing a beautiful jewelled white dress.

Akiya’s brown eyes shone with delight as Navan handed it to her.

Turning to Bru, This is for you...It is a Rubivian flask.

Dangling on a silver chain was a miniature bottle the size of Bru’s little finger.

This little thing is the latest in Rubivian technology and can hold up to 10 cups of water.

"This